This site contains a collection of available original artwork
along with my upcoming art show schedule. If you are interested in purchasing any of my work or if you have any questions about the artwork, please do not hesitate to call: 941-698-1873.

ARTIST INFORMATION
Ben W. Essenburg was born in Oak Park, Illinois. He received a B.A. in English Literature from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and in 1970 moved to South Florida. He currently resides in Englewood, Florida, with his wife, Jill. They have raised four children. A self-taught artist, Ben has been painting and exhibiting professionally since 1975 and has participated in nearly every major Art Festival in Florida, receiving numerous awards. His work is included in private and corporate collections throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and South America, and has been featured in a number of magazines. He has published limited edition reproductions of over 30 different paintings, many of which have sold out.

"The paintings are primarily realistic portrayals of Florida wildlife and landscape rendered in acrylic paint on stretched canvas. I stretch my own canvas, using a very smooth, tight weave and then applying three or four additional coats of gesso thinned slightly with water and acrylic matte medium, wet sanding in between coats. I do this because I like a smooth surface to work on but prefer the springy feel of canvas to that of masonite or other boards. I then apply acrylic paint, building up numerous thin layers of color, working from the background to the foreground. I sketch in various compositional elements in either vine charcoal or pastel pencil as I proceed. The elements are painted from dark to light, and I make extensive use of glazes for intensity of color and semi-transparent washes for atmospheric effects. Finally, the entire painting is coated with acrylic gloss varnish to protect the surface and give it an even finish."

"While I occasionally use photographs for reference, I work primarily from memory and imagination. This allows me more freedom to concentrate on the overall impact of the painting. Since I am familiar with the subject matter, the images are quite realistic -- but my primary objective is not just accuracy but rather to communicate and share how I feel about what I am painting, to create a sense of time and space. The ability to perceive and appreciate beauty is a gift from God, and I am delighted to be able to participate in that process."